The film 'Michael' has kicked off its theatrical run with a phenomenal opening, grossing $97 million in the United States and Canada, and a staggering $217.4 million across the globe. This debut positions it as one of the year's most successful film launches.
With distribution handled by Lionsgate in North America and Universal Pictures internationally, the movie secured $120.4 million from 82 overseas markets, demonstrating its widespread international appeal and drawing large crowds.
Data from box office analytics firm EntTelligence indicates that approximately 6.3 million viewers in North America alone saw the film, a figure that notably exceeds the 4.9 million admissions for 'Project Hail Mary' during its initial weekend.
The film maintained strong traction throughout the weekend. On Saturday in the US, earnings reached $32.5 million, showing a modest 18 percent decrease from Friday's $39.5 million, which included advance ticket sales. When excluding preview revenue, Saturday's core earnings actually saw a 21 percent increase from Friday's $26.9 million, pointing to sustained audience interest.
Premium large formats contributed significantly to the film's success. IMAX screenings accounted for $24.4 million worldwide, achieving the highest IMAX debut ever for a musical biopic. Of this total, $13.8 million was generated from 427 North American screens, representing 14 percent of the domestic gross. The film also set a new record as the highest-grossing IMAX opening weekend for a Lionsgate release in North America.
Industry analysts anticipate that 'Michael' could potentially surpass the $100 million mark domestically, depending on final Sunday results. It has already secured its status as the biggest live-action opening of 2026, outperforming 'Project Hail Mary's' $80.5 million debut.
The film's considerable success comes after a complex and challenging production, overseen by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson. Issues related to the Michael Jackson estate and the portrayal of a dramatized accuser necessitated an additional 20 filming days. It is understood that the estate covered $50 million in additional costs, bringing the total production budget to around $200 million.
Despite these production challenges, studio executives expressed strong belief in the film's potential. Fogelson remarked, "We had an incredibly powerful subject matter and the right filmmaking, distribution and marketing team to pull it off and we knew we were going to make it happen."
Audiences have responded very positively, with reports of moviegoers dancing in theaters and families using the film to introduce younger generations to Jackson’s music and legacy. Early screenings and advance ticket sales, which commenced in March, helped build anticipation, while a robust marketing campaign effectively countered critical reservations.
The film's promotional strategy combined traditional advertising with unique experiential activations that celebrated Jackson's cultural significance. Notable events included global "Don't Walk, Moonwalk" flash mobs in 20 cities, which garnered over 23.4 million domestic views, and an initiative involving historically inspired HBCU marching bands that achieved more than 8.4 million online views.
A premiere event in Berlin featured an extensive exhibition dedicated to Jackson's life and career. Further promotional activities included hologram dance installations in cinemas, interactive billboard performances, and temporary art galleries.
Digital marketing efforts also proved highly effective, with the film's trailer becoming Lionsgate's most-viewed trailer ever, accumulating 116.2 million views within its first 24 hours. Social media campaigns across platforms such as TikTok and X garnered over 564 million views, significantly broadening the film's reach to younger demographics.
Collectively, the strong performance of 'Michael' has contributed to a 5 percent increase in the domestic box office compared to the same weekend last year, with total weekend earnings estimated at $154.3 million. Year-to-date box office revenue for 2026 has now reached $2.6 billion, a 17 percent increase.
Within the weekend's box office results, 'Michael' significantly outpaced its competitors. 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' earned $21.2 million in its fourth week, and 'Project Hail Mary' added $13.2 million in its sixth week.
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